Synonyms of nails

nails

verb

present tense third-person singular of nail

1

as in bangs

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner

the boxer nailed his opponent with a devastating left hook

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bangs
• hits
• knocks
• slaps
• punches
• clips
• smacks
• slams
• claps
• pounds
• strikes
• whacks
• swipes
• cracks
• bats
• hammers
• boxes
• socks
• licks
• taps
• bashes
• kicks
• thumps
• clocks
• tags
• belts
• pastes
• chops
• jabs
• bobs
• flicks
• zaps
• raps
• slugs
• pokes
• bludgeons
• clouts
• thwacks
• swats
• stabs
• smites
• bonks
• bops
• shoves
• wallops
• clobbers
• whales
• pushes
• strokes
• biffs
• bumps
• busts
• slogs
• mauls
• hangs one on
• lashes
• stamps
• knees
• cuffs
• pelts
• beats
• roughs
• peppers
• pummels
• slashes
• buffets
• laces
• scuffs
• mangles
• batters
• butts
• decks
• whips
• floors
• drubs
• pommels
• spears
• creams
• prods
• bunts
• brains
• lambastes
• dumps
• beans
• skulls
• jostles
• canes
• bowls (down or over)
• saps
• clubs
• sledges
• levels
• conks
• cudgels
• knocks down
• flails
• fells
• bungs
• switches
• sledgehammers
• thrashes
• flogs
• sucker punches
• rabbit-punches

2

as in decides

to make final, definite, or beyond dispute

this latest infidelity nails it—I'm filing for divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decides
• determines
• clinches
• settles
• nails (down)
• proves
• clarifies
• defines
• shows
• ends
• ensures
• demonstrates
• illuminates
• states
• establishes
• insures
• affirms
• secures
• assures
• finishes
• specifies
• stipulates
• clears (up)
• concludes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confuses
• unsettles
• muddles
• muddies

3

as in exposes

to reveal the true nature of

an investigative report that nailed the teenage novelist as someone who had plagiarized the works of others

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exposes
• uncovers
• demolishes
• shows up
• undresses
• debunks
• unmasks
• blows the whistle on
• discloses
• disproves
• uncloaks
• tells
• discredits
• divulges
• unveils

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masks
• disguises
• hides
• conceals
• secretes
• cloaks
• camouflages
• veils

4

as in arrests

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law

the very first time I tried to steal anything, I got nailed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• arrests
• seizes
• grabs
• apprehends
• collars
• restrains
• nicks
• pinches
• runs in
• snatches
• captures
• detains
• pulls in
• hooks
• picks up
• nabs
• busts
• commits
• traps
• bags
• catches
• jails
• lands
• grapples
• snares
• confines
• snaps (up)
• handcuffs
• locks (up)
• imprisons
• binds
• interns
• enchains
• shackles
• incarcerates
• fetters
• holds
• gets
• jugs
• immures
• trammels
• manacles
• remands
• rearrests

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• springs
• discharges
• releases
• loosens
• frees
• liberates
• looses
• emancipates
• unbinds
• unchains

5

as in grabs

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

the running back saw the pass coming in and nailed it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grabs
• catches
• snatches
• lands
• hooks
• seizes
• captures
• gets
• traps
• bags
• snags
• collars
• raps
• snares
• grapples
• nets
• corrals
• snaps (up)
• nobbles
• cops
• takes hold (of)
• gloves
• nabs
• gloms
• clutches
• fists
• ropes
• grips
• grasps
• corners
• arrests
• clasps
• holds
• halters
• latches (on or onto)
• apprehends
• secures
• bays
• rends
• lassos
• kidnaps
• fastens (on)
• meshes
• detains
• abducts
• enmeshes
• wrests
• entraps
• spirits (away or off)
• entangles
• ensnares

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• releases
• frees
• discharges
• drops
• liberates
• loosens
• unhands

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nails

Anderson’s collaboration with this gifted young man nails the one thing that every great concert movie tries gift to those who could not be there for the original moment. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

The film’s most heartbreaking scene sees Davidson’s character singing to his daughter over the phone before a deadly shootout ensues, and the actor nails it. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

The Rittenhouse nails it on superlative quality and prime Center City setting. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

There is something about that scene that nails the nuance of being gutted by the crimes of powerful, entitled men. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Baleaf consistently nails budget-friendly performance wear, and these capris are no exception. — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

Plus, Sumosan nails Japanese fusion cuisine, fresh sushi and creative cocktails by the beach. — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

This neighborhood is cool and low-key, just like Sunny’s, and the menu nails it. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 10 Aug. 2026

And then there’s the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, which basically nails the federal government for not consulting with the county or state on the project. — Nick Bhasin, Mercury News, 28 July 2026